Read the Press Release and find more information on the grantees below on this page.
The Poderosas Fellowship is a $25,000 annual investment designed to empower Latinas—including cisgender women, transgender women, and gender-diverse individuals who identify with the Latina experience—currently serving in development, advancement, or philanthropic roles. Applications open now: Apply by June 13
We partner closely with nonprofits, funders, government leaders, and the private sector, leveraging the strengths of the Latinx community to educate stakeholders about issues and surface the most effective solutions to achieve systemic change. Since it was established in 2013, the LEF has raised more than $6 million, established an endowment to support the Latino community in the Commonwealth in perpetuity, made over $2.4 million in grants to community-based organizations, and created a dynamic platform to increase and galvanize Latinx philanthropy.
Over the past few years, the LEF has evolved from a grantmaking entity to an emerging civic leadership engine, commissioning research and reports that address critical issues facing the Latino community and other communities of color and lead to policy change.
Agencia ALPHA - $50,000 (Boston)
Agencia ALPHA (Alcanzando Logros Para Hispanos Ahora) is focused on improving the lives of Hispanics and immigrant communities. They offer a range of immigration legal services, including assistance with adjustment of status, asylum applications, consular processing, DACA, work authorizations, family petitions, NACARA (Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act), naturalization/citizenship, TPS, U visas, and VAWA (Violence Against Women) petitions. In addition, they provide adult education classes and empower the community to engage actively in policies that affect their lives.
Centro Cooperativo de Desarrollo y Solidaridad - $50,000 (East Boston)
The Center for Cooperative Development and Solidarity (CCDS) in East Boston, Massachusetts, is a community-driven organization that fosters economic stability and resilience through cooperative business models, especially for low-income communities. Established in 2015, CCDS supports the creation and growth of worker-owned cooperatives by providing educational, technical, and financial resources. Their work empowers local residents to build economic alternatives that promote social, economic, and racial equity amid challenges like gentrification and rising living costs.
Maverick Landing Services - $50,000 (East Boston)
Maverick Landing Community Services (MLCS) is a nonprofit organization that aims to build an equitable community by uplifting and supporting families, promoting community health, and nurturing resident and youth leadership and creativity. MLCS offers several programs, including workforce development services, digital literacy classes in English and Spanish, and youth production workforce initiatives. It also provides housing assistance and has distributed over one million pounds of food to East Boston residents since 2020.
Somerville Community Corporation - $50,000 (Somerville)
Established in 1969, Somerville Community Corporation focuses on providing affordable housing, promoting economic stability, and fostering community engagement among low- and moderate-income residents. SCC's initiatives include developing and preserving affordable rental and ownership units, offering financial literacy and first-time homebuyer programs, and facilitating workforce development through the First Source Jobs Program. Additionally, SCC actively engages in community organizing to influence policies that enhance housing affordability and economic opportunities, ensuring that all residents can thrive in Somerville's evolving landscape.
Waltham Partnership for Youth- $50,000 (Waltham)
Waltham Partnership for Youth (WPY) is dedicated to fostering a community where all young people feel a sense of belonging and have access to opportunities that enable them to thrive. Collaborating with youth, families, and partner organizations, WPY addresses systemic inequities by connecting over 600 students annually to resources such as paid internships, professional development, and support services. WPY's key initiatives include the Career Exploration & Training program, which offers meaningful paid internships and professional development to more than 150 students each year, and Wraparound Waltham, a multi-agency collaboration providing holistic support to newcomer Spanish-speaking students and their families.
Lawyers for Civil Rights—Boston - $50,000 (Greater Boston)
Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) is a nonprofit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, dedicated to combating discrimination and promoting equity through legal advocacy, education, and economic empowerment. Established in 1968, LCR provides free legal services to individuals, families, and small businesses, focusing on education, employment, health justice, fair housing, immigrant rights, police accountability, and voting rights.
Brazilian Worker Center - $50,000 (Greater Boston)
Based in Allston, Massachusetts, the Brazilian Worker Center (BWC) is dedicated to empowering immigrant workers by educating them about workplace rights, immigration issues, and health equity. BWC offers various programs, including "Know Your Rights" workshops, health and wellness initiatives, leadership development, coalition building, and community support services. These efforts aim to promote economic, social, political, and racial justice for all. A notable initiative of BWC is the Family Welcome Center, developed in partnership with the State of Massachusetts to support newly arrived immigrants. This center provides essential resources and assistance to help families integrate into their new communities.
Pathways Adult Education - $50,000 (Lynn)
Pathways Lynn serves as a crucial resource for adult learners, providing education, career readiness, and community support. Their comprehensive programs include free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, HiSet/GED test preparation, and work readiness training to help participants build skills for career advancement or further education. By incorporating practical job skills into the curriculum, Pathways Lynn equips students with the tools to pursue stable, well-paying employment. In addition to its educational programs, Pathways Lynn offers career services that guide individuals through job searches, resume building, and interview preparation to help adults secure sustainable employment.
La Alianza Hispana - $10,000 (Boston)
La Alianza Hispana is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the Latino community and surrounding neighborhoods. Founded in 1970, its mission is to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate health and education programs, advocacy, and community organizing to strengthen individuals and families. Programs include senior programs, adult day health care, and Mothers and Children in Process (MYNP), A comprehensive maternal and child home-visiting program targeting high-risk Latina immigrant pregnant or parenting mothers and families with children from birth to age five.
Revival Chelsea - $10,000 (Chelsea)
Revival Chelsea is a dedicated resource center that provides hope, healing, and practical support for individuals and families in need. They have operated a food pantry for over ten years, connecting with over 600 families weekly to address food insecurity. In addition to food assistance, Revival Chelsea offers non-clinical mental health support and wellness programs designed to understand and address the unique challenges of each individual, promoting holistic well-being and resilience.
La Vida Scholars - $10,000 (Lynn)
La Vida Scholars is dedicated to empowering low-income, high-achieving students from Lynn and Chelsea to access top-tier colleges with minimal to no debt. Established in 2007, the program has helped over 400 students secure over $23 million in grants, scholarships, and awards. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of services, including academic support, campus visits, monthly family meetings, matched college savings, individualized advising, and assistance with scholarships and college applications. Partnering closely with families, they aim to equip students with the resources and opportunities necessary to graduate with minimal to no debt, thereby fostering educational equity and success.
Cultivate Pathways - $10,000 (Lynn)
Cultivate Pathways is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating equitable economic opportunities for 1st gen students through bilingual training and credentialing in high-growth industries. Their flagship program, AbreTech, offers paid work-based learning experiences to English learner students from 11th grade through college, focusing on developing in-demand tech skills. Participants receive training in areas such as web design, IT, and digital marketing, aiming to equip them with the competencies needed for family-sustaining careers.
Brockton Workers Alliance - $10,000 (Brockton)
The Brockton Workers Alliance (BWA) is focused on empowering immigrant workers facing workplace exploitation and advocating for their rights. By offering programs such as Workers' Rights Clinics, BWA educates and supports workers in understanding their legal rights and addressing workplace injustices. Additionally, BWA provides English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes to help workers improve their communication skills, enhancing their employment opportunities. BWA is deeply committed to broader community advocacy, including voter registration and education to increase civic engagement and campaigns for racial and economic justice that address systemic employment, housing, and healthcare barriers.
The Latino Equity Fund hosted a series of community celebrations and forums that will feature Latinidad, music, performances and delicious local cuisine. Thank you for joining us!
Childcare Matters: Thursday, September 26, 9-10:30 a.m. at the Boston Foundation
The Latino Factor: Road to Prosperity Wherever You Are: Tuesday, October 22nd, 6-9 p.m. at Yawkey Auditiorium, GBH
50 Years Building Community: The State of the Brazilian Community in Greater Boston: Thursday, October 24th, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Boston Foundation
Research, Convening & Policy: Lift up the power of data to inform the public—raising awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing the Latino community— and identifying more effective and innovative solutions for them. Engage with leaders and policy influencers on issues and work with partners to affect policy and positive change.
Leverage Philanthropic Resources: Partner with individual donors, foundations and companies with aligned missions and values to deploy resources to impactful Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations—helping to build their capacity and lift up Latino leadership.
Partnerships & Collaboration: Collaborate with grantee organizations and other strategic partners to advance the economic prosperity, health and health equity of the Latino community—and in doing so, the region overall.
Photos by Angela Rowlings
Community support for the Latino Equity Fund has made it possible for the Fund to:
In total, the Latino Equity Fund was able to contribute over $80k towards emergency relief through a combination of funding from the Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico Fund, the Latino Equity Fund and dollars entrusted from members of the community.
Commissioned by the Latino Equity Fund and conducted by the Mauricio Gastón Institute at UMass Boston, this report takes a first-of-its-kind look at the geography, scale and reach of nonprofits and grassroots initiatives serving Massachusetts Latinos.
Read the report here
The grants, made through an open request for proposals this fall, bring the Fund’s total grantmaking to over $2.3 million since 2013, with $1.2 million distributed since Javier Juarez became the Fund’s Director in early 2023.
Read the December 2024 grants press release
2024ed marks the 10th anniversary of LEF's first grant cycle as an established equity fund at TBF. To commemorate LEF’s impact as the only philanthropic fund dedicated to Latinos in MA, the Fund hosted a community celebration at Bow Market in Somerville. Thank you for joining us to celebrate!
LEF pays tribute to co-founder and advisory board co-chair Aixa Beauchamp for her decade of vision and leadership.
Massachusetts is one of six states to attribute all of its population growth to the Latino population, but the Latino community continues to be underfunded. A report by Hispanics in Philanthropy showed that only 1.3 percent of spending by U.S. foundations is specifically targeted to Latino programs, even though Latinos are the fastest growing part of the American population, and comprise nearly 25 percent of all children and youth. The Latino Equity Fund is looking to change that. Since 2014, the Latino Equity Fund (formerly the Latino Legacy Fund) has provided annual grant opportunities for Latino-led and Latino-serving nonprofits. The program was paused in 2017, so the Fund could partner with the Boston Foundation to found Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico, the Massachusetts effort to help the thousands of Puerto Ricans affected by Hurricane Maria. With the support of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Gov. Charlie Baker, MUPR raised more than $4 million to help with emergency needs, recovery and support for the thousands of Puerto Ricans temporarily or permanently displaced to Massachusetts.
In 2017, the Fund worked in collaboration with Boston Indicators and the Boston Planning and Development Agency on the publication of Powering Greater Boston’s Economy: Why the Latino Community Is Critical to Our Shared Future, a first-of-its-kind report on the impact of the growth of Greater Boston's Latino population on the region's demographics and economy. The report highlighted the sharp growth in Greater Boston's Latino population since 1980, noting that virtually all of the City of Boston's population growth since 1980 can be attributed to its growing Latino population. Even so, the report noted that Latino representation in leadership, government and business sharply lags the overall population percentage.
The Latino Equity Fund presents a unique opportunity for donors who want the flexibility of supporting a broad range of organizations and initiatives while meeting the future needs of the Latino community. Any individual, family, or organization can support current grant making through gifts by check, credit card, distributions from Donor Advised Funds or gifts of appreciated stock or other assets. Here is more about the many ways to support the Latino Equity Fund:
Call 617-338-1700 for more information.
Zamawa Arenas, Co-chair
Founder & CEO
Flowetik
Member, The Boston Foundation Board of Directors
Carolina Avellaneda
General Counsel
Emerson College
Joseph Betancourt, M.D., M.P.H.
President
The Commonwealth Fund
Vanessa Calderón-Rosado, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción
Member, The Boston Foundation Board of Directors
Rafael Cofiño
Partner
Great Hill Partners
Betty Francisco
CEO
Boston Impact Initiative
Co-Founder, Amplify Latinx
Member, The Boston Foundation Board of Directors
Yvonne Garcia
Chief of Staff to Chief Executive Officer
State Street Corporation
Phillip O. González
President
Metrowest Health Foundation
Juan Lopera, Co-chair
Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
Beth Israel Lahey Health
Lazaro Lopez
Vice President Engineering & Construction
Tillman Fiber Co.
Juan Carlos Morales
Founder & President
Surfside Capital Advisors
Co-Founder, Latino Equity Fund
Lorna Rivera, Ph.D.
Director, Mauricio Gaston Institute
UMass Boston
Rich Robles
Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer
Boston Children's Hospital
Mary Skelton Roberts
President & CEO
Philanthropy MA
Julio E. Vega
Partner
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Aixa Beauchamp, Co-chair
President
Beauchamp & Associates
Co-Founder, Latino Equity Fund
